Irish Poker Open Goes Online, Philippines Targets Cockfighting, Trump Plaza Demolition Bidding

The Irish Poker Open 2021 will take place online on partypoker. The festival kicks off on March 29 with an estimated €5.5 million up for grabs, and a showpiece €1 million guaranteed main event. Last year’s Irish Poker Open saw 2,945 players sign up for a piece of the action, with Pablo Brito Silva defeating Andras Nemeth to end the day €462,099 richer in the main event. Will Kassouf won the main event for €215,163 after qualifying through a €109 satellite.

The Philippines government is to increase tax revenue by targeting the $1 billion cockfighting industry. Legislator Sharon Garin said: “We need to maximize the national government’s revenue-generating capacity by regulating these activities without overstepping the powers of local government units and government gaming agencies.” The Philippines has over 2,000 arenas dedicated to cockfighting.

A bidding war is on to be the person that activates the explosive charges that will demolish the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The property has been empty for six years and is scheduled for demolition on January 29 2021. The current bid price is $62,500. Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small has long said he is determined to get rid of the derelict property, calling it “an embarrassment” and “it’s a blight on our skyline”.